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World Cup 2018

Such was the extent of the threat of violence, many English football fans have been put off travelling.

In total, England fans have only bought 32,000 less tickets for the tournament - three times less that supporters from the United States, whose own country are not competing.

England’s game with Belgium was over subscribed but the cost of travel, difficulties getting visas and the significant security threat put off fans making trips to see games in Russia.

England fans have been warned to be careful on the back of trouble in 2016 (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Police respond to a violent incident at Euro 2016 (Image: REUTERS)

Brazil, the favourites win the World Cup for a record sixth time this summer, have sold 72,512 tickets while Colombia (65,234), Mexico (60,302), Argentina (54,031) and Peru (43,583) have all outsold England.

There have been constant threats from Russian hooligans that English fans will be targeted during the competition.

Last year, a thug who leads a large firm in St Petersburg, the city where the England squad are based, said last year: "You think it was bad in France - wait until Russia."

English and Russian fans clashed during the trip to France (Image: REUTERS)

Fans have been warned about their safety ahead of the World Cup (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Alexey Mavryn, from rival group Uralmash Steel Monsters, added in summer 2017: "If the English want a second beating after Marseille all they have to do is ask."

"An England fan almost died in Marseille. It could be worse next summer. If the circumstances are right ­someone could get killed."

There has since been subsequent warnings from Russian hooligans about violence throughout the tournament.